Device for supporting a bucket on a ladder

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for a bucket is pivotally mounted on a base, adapted to be hung on one rung of a ladder and restrained from movement by another rung, the pivots being located so that entry to the top of the bucket is substantially free of obstructions. A support may also be provided for scrapers, dust brushes, wiping cloths and the like.

[22] Filed:

United States Patent 1191 Ellingson DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A BUCKET ON A LADDER [76] Inventor: Erling Ellingson, R.R. No. 1, Creek Rd., Beloit, Wis. 53511 Feb. 25, 1974 21 App]. No.: 445,442

52 US. Cl 248/210 [51] F16M 13/00 [58] Field of Search 2'48/210, 211, 238

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,246,140 11/1917 Moritz 248/210 X 1,772,392 8/1930 Firl 248/210 3,448,956 6/1969 Kuhaneck 248/210 [451 July 22,1975

3,642,240 2/1972 Hershey 248/210 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 400,177 8/1924 Germany 248/210 Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or FirmA. Richard Koch 5 7 ABSTRACT A receptacle for a bucket is pivotally mounted on a base, adapted to be hung on one rung of a ladder and restrained from movement by another rung, the pivots being located so that entry to the top of the bucket is substantially free of obstructions. A support may also be provided for scrapers, dust brushes, wiping cloths and the like.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A BUCKET ON A LADDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In painting a wall such as the outside of a building, a ladder (usually of the extension type) is leaned against the wall and a bucket is suspended by its handle and an S-shaped hook from a rung of the ladder in order to free the hands of the painter to manipulate the brush and to steady himself. Such a support for the bucket is simple and inexpensive, but it has some serious disadvantages. The most obvious disadvantage is that the rung from which the bucket is suspended always obstructs entry to the bucket, being directly over a diameter of the bucket. Another disadvantage is that the bucket is free to swing back and forth and sideways. There is no provision for holding scrapers, dust brushes, wiping cloths and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention a receptacle for a bucket, can, or other container, is pivotally mounted on a base supportable on the rungs of a ladder. Entry to the bucket is free of obstruction. The bucket is prevented from swinging sideways and only a pivoting motion forward and backward is permitted to reduce the chance of spilling paint or other content of the bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of this invention, showing its use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a ladder having a plurality of rungs, such as l2, 13, between side rails 14, leans against a wall 16 for support. The invention 20 comprises a base 21, shown as made of a sheet material, having a hook 22 at its upper end 23, whereby said base may be hung from one of the rungs 12. A portion 24 to ward the lower end 25 rests against another (usually a lower) rung 13. A reference plane for the base through hook 22 and portion 24 is thus determined by the position of the rungs 12, 13. A pair of spaced brackets 26, 27 projects forwardly from the plane of the base 21. Means for receiving and supporting, such as a receptacle 28, is pivotally mounted on the brackets by aligned pivots 29, 30. The receptacle 28 is open atthe top 31 and effectively closed at the bottom 32 to receive and support a bucket or other container 33, which is not part of the invention. An axis AA through pivots 29, is parallel to the rungs 12, 13 and spaced forwardly from the plane of the base 21. An aperture 34 in the base between brackets 26, 27 permits a portion of the receptacle 28 to extend behind the plane of base 21. The spacing of axis A--A forwardly from the plane of the base and the size of the aperture are such as to permit substantially unobstructed access from above the receptacle 28 or to any container therein. The lower end 25 is provided with a shelf or support 34 having a lip 35 to hold accessory articles such as brushes, scrapers, cloths and the like. The receptacle 28 is shown as comprising an annular member 36 at the top 31 to limit lateral motion of any container 33 in the receptacle and at least one U-shaped member 37, 38 dependent from the annular strip to support the container by effectively closing the bottom 32. If the container is tapered or has a lip to engage the annular member 36, the U-shaped member may be eliminated.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment made of formed and welded wire or rod. The same reference numerals are employed where applicable. The hook comprises two portions 22a, 22b hanging from rung 12 to prevent the base 21 from rotating in its plane. The portions 24a, 24b rest against the front of rung 13 as before, but form parts of forks 39a, 39b adapted to straddle rung 13 and prevent rotation around rung 12 in either direction. The pivots 29, 30 are formed by out-turned ends of the U-shaped member 37. Bearings in which the pivots rotate are formed by loops 40a, 40b in the wire comprising brackets 26, 27. In this embodiment, the annular member 36 is welded to the U- shaped member 37 near the pivots 29, 30 to provide lateral support for any container in receptacle 28.

Many equivalent constructions will become obvious. The scope of this invention is defined solely by the claims.

I claim:

1. A device for supporting a container on a ladder having a plurality of rungs, said device comprising a rigid base of sheet material, a hook formed on one end of the base adapted to hang said base on one of the rungs, a portion of the base engagable with another of the rungs to restrain rotation of the base around said one rung, said hook and said portion defining a plane of the base, an aperture in said base between the hook and said portion, a pair of spaced brackets bent fowardly from the base, means for receiving and supporting the container, and aligned pivots mounting said means on the brackets about an axis parallel to said rungs and displaced from the plane to substantially level the container and to permit substantially unobstructed access from above to said means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the base comprises a fork adapted to straddle said other rung to substantially prevent rotation of the base on said one rung.

3. A device according to claim 1 additionally comprising an article support integral with the base.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said support comprises a shelf.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said hook comprises spaced portions adapted to engage the one rung at spaced points. 

1. A device for supporting a container on a ladder having a plurality of rungs, said device comprising a rigid base of sheet material, a hook formed on one end of the base adapted to hang said base on one of the rungs, a portion of the base engagable with another of the rungs to restrain rotation of the base around said one rung, said hook and said portion defining a plane of the base, an aperture in said base between the hook and said portion, a pair of spaced brackets bent fowardly from the base, means for receiving and supporting the container, and aligned pivots mounting said means on the brackets about an axis parallel to said rungs and displaced from the plane to substantially level the container and to permit substantially unobstructed access from above to said means.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the base comprises a fork adapted to straddle said other rung to substantially prevent rotation of the base on said one rung.
 3. A device according to claim 1 additionally comprising an article support integral with the base.
 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said support comprises a shelf.
 5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said hook comprises spaced portions adapted to engage the one rung at spaced points. 